2 Are Killed, 10 Injured In Outbreak Of Shootings

In one of the most violent nights this year in Chicago, two people were killed and 10 others injured late Friday and early Saturday during a rash of shootings, police said.

The evening of gunplay came in the midst of what may become one of the city`s deadliest years on record. The murder rate is 12 percent ahead of last year`s, which was the second-highest in Chicago history.

In what police believe were two related gang shootings on the West Side, one person was killed and five others injured.

The first shooting took place just after 9:30 p.m. Friday, when two men were shot by two people police suspect are gang members in front of 721 N. Menard Ave., according to police. Authorities would not identify the victims. Apparently in retaliation for that incident, three suspected gang members were injured and one killed in a drive-by shooting about 10 p.m., said Grand Central Area Detective Richard Curley.

Jermaine Fields, 19, of the 5200 block of West Crystal Street, was killed, Curley said.

Injured were John Wynn, 22, of the 1300 block of North Lockwood Avenue, who was in stable condition at Mt. Sinai Hospital Medical Center; Joseph Brown, 21, of the 1000 block of North Lawler Avenue, in fair condition at Cook County Hospital; and Bryan Hall, 17, of the 5300 block of North Hirsch Drive, who was in good condition at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, authorities said.

Police have made no arrests in the shootings.

Almost simultaneously on the South Side, gunfire erupted in the 6400 block of South Champlain Avenue, injuring a man and four teenagers who were standing in front of a building, police said.

Anthony Ester, 40, of the 6400 block of South Champlain Avenue, was in fair condition at Cook County Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest. James Blackmon, 17, of the 6000 block of South King Drive, was shot in the left thigh and was reported in stable condition Saturday night at Chicago Osteopathic Medical Center.

Also injured was a 12-year-old girl, who was in good condition at St. Bernard Hospital; a 15-year-old girl, who was taken to Wyler Children`s Hospital; and a 16-year-old, who was at Chicago Osteopathic with a gunshot wound to the back.

Police, who have no suspects, said they do not believe that shooting was gang-related.

Hours later on the North Side, Monte Schad, 26, of the 1700 block of West Farwell Avenue, was shot at 6900 N. Ashland Ave. after he got into an argument, said Belmont Area Sgt. Thomas Sappanos. He was pronounced dead at early Saturday at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Police are unsure what spurred the dispute and have no suspects in custody.